WITH HOPES of rewriting last season’s defeat in the Greyhounds’ realm, the Ateneo Golden Knights saw their comeback mission fall short, dropping an 88–74 decision to the UNC Greyhounds in the Bicol Universities and Colleges Athletic League (BUCAL) Season 8 Seniors’ Division opener at the UNC Sports Palace on 21 August 2026.
The Naga El Clasico opened with the Greyhounds sinking their fangs into the game early, racing to a 6–0 run before Judd Tino finally broke Ateneo’s silence three minutes into the contest. John Bernard Basagre followed with timely buckets, but UNC continued to dictate the pace, stretching its advantage to double digits at 17–5. The Greyhounds’ disciplined defense and efficient offense kept the Golden Knights at bay as UNC closed the opening quarter ahead, 26–14.
Ateneo came out swinging in the second, with Basagre and Louis Davila knocking down back-to-back baskets before converting another scoring opportunity from the foul line. AdNU began matching UNC’s physicality as both squads traded aggressive drives and defensive stops.
But the Greyhounds refused to surrender their grip as the team’s hotshot Kevin Taugan answered with a three-pointer to preserve the cushion at 34–22. The game intensified midway through the quarter, until the lead stretched to 14 in favor of UNC, 48–34.
The Golden Knights emerged from the break with renewed urgency in the third quarter as Basagre struck first, followed by veteran Clark Puerta, whose scoring burst helped Ateneo claw its way back within single digits at 48–39.
For a moment, the Golden Knights appeared ready to turn the tide, only for UNC to strike back and snuff out Ateneo’s growing momentum.
Dawn Saquido buried a three to halt Ateneo’s drive, however John Francis Ranin secured an answer on the other end. The two teams traded blows as the quarter raced toward its conclusion, but another Greyhounds triple in the final minute pushed the tally back to their sweet 16-point lead, 71–55.
With their backs against the wall, the Golden Knights entered the final frame hunting for a miracle. Basagre refused to let the game slip away quietly by drilling consecutive baskets to keep Ateneo alive. Yet every Golden Knights surge was met by a Greyhounds response, with UNC tightening its defense and sinking its fangs deeper each time Ateneo threatened to claw its way back.
With two minutes remaining, the Golden Knights mounted one last push to cut the deficit. But Taugan and player of the game Keneth Macinas extinguished the comeback bid, delivering the finishing blows that secured the Greyhounds’ 88–74 victory.
For the AGK, the palace once again became a place of unfinished business. But with an entire Season 8 campaign still ahead, the Golden Knights will look to sharpen their armor and claw their way back into the win column.
